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Archive for the ‘Needlepoint thread and canvas’ Category

Pulled Yarn Stitches with a Silver Lining

Written by Peggy Bond

After my first foray into pulled yarn stitching, I was anxious to try one with color. Using the combination of the pulled yarn star and traditional reversed scotch stitches, I created a two-colored background that lets the silver lining of the I Love Mom ornament shine through.

I stitched the heart, “I Mom”, and background between the letters and image with the continental stitch before starting the pulled yarn star/reversed scotch background. 

Stitched Canvas

Each reversed scotch block and pulled yarn star is 8 horizontal by 8 vertical threads. The reversed scotch blocks should be completed before the pulled yarn stars, particularly if the canvas is not on a stretcher.

By starting the reserved scotch blocks at the center top of the canvas and working diagonally downward as shown above the location of a diagonal row of stars is created. For this ornament, the stars alternate with the scotch blocks, but they can also be randomly positioned. It is important that the stars be worked from the center outward. Since the stars are a different color than the scotch block, each was work independently and ends tied off and hidden so that they are not seen.

Reversed scotch block

So now the background lining! The ornament has only three colors. I did not like the idea of using black. Nether white nor red would show off the holes for the pulled yarn stars. Maybe gold or silver? I tested a silver lining of aluminum foil. I liked how it looked. I went looking for fabric and found stretch satin silver fabric at my local fabric store.

Satin Silver Fabric

To finish the ornament, I used red felt for the backing, quilt batting for padding, a cardboard stiffener, and silver braid for trim and hanger.

Ornament elements

My two pulled yard projects have been done on 18-point canvases and now I am ready for something bigger and maybe better….

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have at: info@needlepaint.com

Happy Stitching!

Category:

How to finish Needlepoint, needlepoint door hanger, Needlepoint Inspiration, needlepoint stitches, Needlepoint thread and canvas

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Hippity Hoppity Easter’s On Its Way!

Written by Caroline

When our designer, Gwynn, created NeedlePaint’s Beatrix Potter Collection, I could not wait to stitch something. This collection is the epitome of sweet and classic, and the perfect homage to Beatrix Potter’s outstanding work. 

After burning out with several larger projects recently, I wanted something smaller with different finishing potential, so I picked out the Peter Rabbit Stand Up Kit. I requested to have the design printed on 14-count canvas—something we are always happy to do!—which changed the overall size to 5.2″ x 10”. In addition, when I received the canvas, I drew a rounded top.

I knew I wanted to focus on texture and keep my stitches simple,
so I headed to my local needlepoint shop (Stitch in Louisville, KY)
and they assisted me in pulling lots of different fibers based on the canvas:

Peter’s fur: Petite Very Velvet

Peter’s jacket: Silk & Ivory

Face details: DMC Perle Cotton #3

Grass: DMC Perle Cotton #3

Background: Vineyard Wool

I completed the foreground entirely in the basketweave stitch, but I am
impressed with how different each section appears in person because of the fiber type. 

I used my favorite old faithful background stitch: diagonal mosaic!
I love this stitch for its full coverage, but also its simplicity and quickness to stitch.

While NeedlePaint does not (yet!) offer stand-up finishing,
I was able to finish it through my local needlepoint shop,
and will treasure this for years to come —

especially every Easter!

Category:

Easter Needlepoint Kits, NeedlePaint Collections, NeedlePaint Inspiration, needlepoint holiday ornaments, needlepoint stitches, Needlepoint thread and canvas

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Give Pulled Yarn Stitching a Try

Written by Peggy Bond

Pulled yarn stitches are often overlooked for needlepointing canvases because they do not fully cover the canvas. However, they can be used with conventional stitches and have some advantages as backgrounds. Firstly, they can be worked up quickly and secondly, they are lacy allowing a differently colored backing to show through.   

This Be Mine Valentine needlepoint ornament kit finished as a door hanger, has a pink felt backing that gives the background behind the heart, the look of checked gingham.
Up close, this is not the case.

When working pulled yarn, it is important to keep consistent tension or pull. This is what creates the pattern. The best pulled yarn stitches have equilateral pull which minimizes distortion.

The 4-sided over 3 pattern shown here is a good example. Notice the direction of the stitches:

1 – left to right

2 – bottom left to top

3 – bottom right to top

4 – bottom left to right

The back will show a large cross stitch (X) as shown above.

My original idea for this project was to back the canvas the same felt as used for the frame. The red felt did not show through. However, the bright pink felt showed well and tied the red and pink of the heart together. Below is a photo of the four layers that used for the hanger.

This project was stitched with white thread on white canvas and had a hot pink backing. Alternatively, it could be done with red thread on the white canvas and a white or sparkling backing. There are many options, and the only caution would be not to try pulled yarn stitches on a printed background. Pulling the stitches will expose the white of the unprinted canvas.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have at: info@needlepaint.com

Happy Stitching!

Category:

How to finish Needlepoint, needlepoint door hanger, Needlepoint Inspiration, needlepoint stitches, Needlepoint thread and canvas

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Plan Your Next NeedlePaint Project!

There are so many great choices and personal preferences involved when planning a new needlepoint project to stitch. NeedlePaint would love to help you plan your next project!

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NeedlePaint offers Zweigart Mono Deluxe needlepoint canvas.

Project size:
Choosing the overall design size of your canvas — do you want to stitch a belt, pillow, key fob, wallet, flask or maybe even a guitar or purse strap. We can create very large canvases, small canvases and everything in-between.

Canvas Mesh size:
Choose the canvas mesh size that works best for you — The mesh size of the canvas represents the number of stitches per inch. An 18 mesh canvas (with 18 stitches per inch) is usually used for smaller projects that require more detail; and a 10 mesh canvas would be used on something like a large floor pillow. It often depends on what type of thread you want to use, or maybe even what you can see visually.

NeedlePaint DMC thread

NeedlePaint offers DMC embroidery floss, or Waverly wool for your canvas!

Types of thread:
Choosing the type of thread depends on your canvas mesh size and your preference. 10, 12 and 14 canvas mesh sizes work great with wool thread. 14 and 18 mesh sizes work great with DMC embroidery floss. Thread choices are varied, and at Needlepoint we offer two types of thread. You have the option to of DMC embroidery floss, which is a 100% pearl cotton six-strand thread; and Waverly wool, which is 100% wool, and a three ply thread. We also will be happy to create a canvas for you without supplied thread. We know that a many of you like to use thread from your own stash, or simply like to pick the thread type and colors yourself. 

original cat image       NeedlePaint canvas

Original photo on the left, and a printed canvas of that image on the right.

Printed needlepoint canvas: 
NeedlePaint offers a huge selection of stock designs. If you’re looking for custom needlepoint; we can draw it for you, or we can print an image directly onto the canvas for you from a photo, drawing or graphic. We create your design image in a computer file, which assigns each square on the canvas a color. We then print your image onto blank canvas with a heat transfer process, and our computer generated file creates a stitch chart color guide. These charts help with the process of stitching; letting you know what color to use in each square. This is especially helpful if you have a background in cross-stitching, but not needed if you are used to following the colors on on the canvas.

handpainted needlepoint canvas

This is a hand painted needlepoint canvas we did for a customer, who preferred a solid lavender background and wanted to add a decorative border, using the original photo.

Painted needlepoint canvas:
NeedlePaint would be happy to provide you with a hand painted canvas. This is a great option if you prefer to stitch following the colors that are painted on the canvas and you don’t need stitch charts for reference. Although a printed canvas is more cost effective if you are on a budget, a hand painted canvas is always a great option. Let us know if you would prefer a painted canvas, and we will be happy to give you a price quote for your project.

There are so many great options when planning your next NeedlePaint project, feel free to contact us and let us know how we can help at: info@needlepaint.com. replica relogios rolex best replica watches sites
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Category:

Custom needlepoint, Hand painted canvas, Needlepoint Inspiration, Needlepoint thread and canvas, Personalized Needlepoint

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